Konica Minolta is a provider of business solutions, offering technologies and performance materials. When the company was first founded they were primarily engaged in manufacturing cameras. Since this lens has a big and not recessed front element, the subsequent use of a lens hood is recommended to aviod loss of contrast. Matching rectangular lens hoods were apart of the lens kit delivered by Konica. For later, non-preset lenses the lens hood is the same as Konica's other 24mm and 28mm lenses.